Containers
FIBRE BAG
Probably Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, West Central Africa
This bag with a strap is made from raffia palm fibres. Starting from the centre of the
base,
the bag would have been woven in a spiral. The raised pattern is created using a
knotting
technique. Miniature versions of bags like this, containing magical substances, were
worn
by power figures.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/105
TWO BASKETS WITH
PYRAMIDAL LIDS
Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West Central
Africa
African baskets are usually made by men. They material used may be raffia palm,
pineapple or banana leaves. These complex examples use twining, binding, coiling
and
plaiting techniques. Diviners use lidded baskets to carry magical items, but the precise
function of these well-woven baskets is not known.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/87 A-B
TWO SMALL BASKETS WITH LIDS
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
These baskets with lids are made using a coiled technique They may be made from
raffia
palm, pineapple or banana leaves. Baskets are used for storing and transporting food,
everyday and special objects. Tiny lidded baskets such as these are sometimes used to
carry medicinal items for magical use.
Donated by Mrs. Frances Rose-Troup in 1938
48/1938/6 A-B
OVAL BASKET WITH LID
Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Central Africa
African baskets may be made from raffia palm, pineapple or banana leaves. They
come in
a great variety of shapes and sizes are used for storing and transporting food,
everyday
and special objects. The function of this lidded basket is not recorded and it may have
had many different uses.
Donated by Mrs. Frances Rose-Troup in 1938
48/1938/7
NKISI POT
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic
Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
This small pot has shells and bones tied around it with fibre string. It also has residues
inside and a strip of green cloth around its neck. This evidence suggests that it is part
of a
nkisi or power object, used in rituals for divination, healing, or attacking enemies.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/56
POT WITH LONG NECK
Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West Central
Africa
This pot is decorated with incised lines and a red painted pattern. The piece of raffia
around its neck may be for carrying or suspension. African pots are usually hand-built
by
women using coiling techniques. Potters are often married to blacksmiths, the couple's
professions representing the transformative powers of fire.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/69
TWO ROUND POTS
Probably Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
African pots are metaphorically associated with the human body - they are containers,
like women during pregnancy. These two pots are decorated around their 'bellies' with
incised patterns. The patterns are based on woven textiles and are the same as those
used
by women to ornament their bodies with scarifications.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/79, 9/1889/80
BOX WITH CARVED LEOPARD
Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West Central
Africa
The original use of this tiny wooden box is not known. However, the spotted leopard
carved on its lid provides a clue. The leopard is a potent symbol of power and royalty
in
Central Africa. Perhaps this box belonged to a chief or ritual specialist, or contained
something valuable.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/68
TWO WOODEN FLASKS
Probably Kongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
These wooden vessels have close-fitting lids attached with leather straps. They are
based
on the form of European powder-vessels and perhaps held gunpowder or poison. They
may have been used by a ritual specialist charged with hunting wrongdoers. Their
carved
patterns are similar to those used for decorating woven textiles.
Donated by Mrs. Frances Rose-Troup in 1938
48/1938/8/1-2